He thinks a cartoon character will persuade people to go to that crime-ridden, inflation-crazy, corrupt nation?

Cheverito is funny as hell, though--a gift that will keep on giving!

Here is Cheverito at one of the most visited places in Caracas



Bello Monte morgue.

I applaud the brilliant minds that applied this stupid cartoon to the reality of VZ today--it's a real "nail on the head" project!

But take Cheverito's advice...and bring your own toilet paper!!!!!!


:large

of course there will be partisans that are going to ridicule anything Maduro does, whether it's good for Venezuela or not.

most countries promote tourism. If someone had an agenda, they could mock such efforts in any country.

be effective it has to contain elements of truth. Somehow I don't think making a British "Cheverito" would produce the same type of answer.

See: http://caracaschronicles.com/2014/08/01/the-crazy-expensive-and-illegal-adventures-of-cheverito/

But that is typical of this regime...if you are one of the Boligarchs, you can get away with anything.

He needs to get a handle on the crime, murder and inflation rate before he starts touting VZ as a paradise....it's a paradise if you want to be robbed/killed, because there's PLENTY of that going on.

http://985wbow.com/news/articles/2014/jul/30/venezuelans-find-solace-in-comedy-amid-economic-travails/

It sounds a bit like Marie Antoinette saying "let them eat cake".

The ugly reality is that most Venezuelans aren't in the mood nor able to start traveling in Venezuela. Inflation is running 60 %, there are food and medicine shortages, and the crime rate is appalling. Foreign tourists aren't about to take up an offer given the high crime rate and the lack of flights (most airlines have reduced or suspended flight schedules due to government non payment of the hard currency they are owed).

Therefore the campaign does have a surreal feel, it's as if the tourism minister was telling the people to eat cake.

Last edited Sat Aug 2, 2014, 01:35 PM - Edit history (1)

Margarita is supposed to be the jewel of Venezuelan tourism, especially for foreigners. But how do they expect to keep people doing tourism there if they're not relatively safe from criminals? Hell, Monica Spear, the former Miss Venezuela who was murdered along with her husband back in Jamuary, was only in Venezuela only for a few days doing tourism as well, only in the mainland, a few hours drive from Caracas. She doesn't even live in Venezuela anymore, and she and her partner ended up getting killed in cold blood by street scum, and even their little 5-year-old girl was caught in the crossfire, leaving her with a bullet wound to the leg and an orphan. Yeah, I'm sure "Cheverito" thinks that's totally fine in this tourist "paradise."

Cheverito uses a professional type camera with changeable lenses valued at US$5800 or so at government rate.

CHeverito has a tablet too. Lowest priced tablet is about US$800

Trip to Canaima (Angel Falls area) 3 days two nights about $2400 includes hotel, flight, and transportation. 3.5x minimum wage and pretty fucking outrageous.

Margarita 3 days 2 nights $1600 (about a 15 minute flight from Caracas)

http://prodavinci.com/blogs/cuanto-costarian-las-aventuras-de-cheverito-en-la-venezuela-real-por-anabella-abadi-y-daniel-ragua/

Even with the tourist exchange rate of 12 Bs or so to the dollar, its not an economical vacation when most of the economy uses informal market or black market prices at 50+Bs. Taking out cash for ATM or a credit card you'll get official rate and will drain your wallet. May as well go to Europe, safer and cheaper. Backpacker types can't afford Venezuela, and people with more means avoid Ven due to crime. There are so many more options in Latin America for the foreign tourist.

they'll arrest you, beat you and take your cash.

If you can get away with it, though, you can make a FORTUNE on the black market.

This is just an idiotic pipe dream--typical of Maduro.

You'd think if the place was so pristine, he could use actual photos of the locations, rather than draw cartoons to represent them; of course, like some of these images reflect, the reality can get a bit ugly.

But back to your point about expense--this article makes your very point:

http://prodavinci.com/blogs/cuanto-costarian-las-aventuras-de-cheverito-en-la-venezuela-real-por-anabella-abadi-y-daniel-ragua/

Hotel was expropriated in 2006. Nothing like a little trip to 100 degree Maracaibo without a/c.

http://www.maduradas.com/hecho-en-revolucion-50-de-habitaciones-del-venetur-no-tienen-aires-acondicionados/

Who needs a/c? It's an adventure!

The jeep will make you a prime kidnap candidate. With your camera you bring a bonus. I wouldn't give you 72 hours before you are either shot and killed or find yourself tied up and dropped down a rabbit hole in a small shack in the woods until they can arrange to sell you to the Farc. I hope your family has money to pay your rescue.

If you show up driving a jeep with foreign plates in Venezuela you would be considered a rich capitalist. I'd say the would ask more than you have, hold you for years while your family holds cookie sales to get you back.

"Cheverito" is now being used for anti-opposition propaganda:

http://sunoticiero.com/index.php/politica-not/57611-insolito-izarra-transformo-a-cheverito-en-un-activista-contra-la-oposicion-fotos